Zarqawi’s Kitchen Timer
Robb speculates on Zarqawi’s fishy outing (which I mentioned in my last post) in the comments here –
Here’s a total speculation (and not worth much since he had already outlived his usefulness in Iraq and analysts that attempt to explain the motivations of individuals in a hazy environment are usually on thin ground). Zarqawi was the main force behind the a major fork in the open source war: the push to sectarian conflict. He won on that but it cost him. He was also likely in motion towards seeding conflict in Jordan, which would have created a sense of betrayal among Iraqis he was fighting with. The combination put a big fat target on his head. Rather than kill him themselves, they enabled the US to martyr him (out of personal obligation and a sense that his death will serve their interests).
Sounds about right.
-Shlok
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